LuckyWill"The Prestige" movie review
July 2nd 2007 04:53
Tricks, sleight-of-hand and illusions – is it science coloured with flashy entertainment or a shady art of deceiving and subterfuge? The Prestiege poses this question and more with a deeply psychological edge examining the motivations as to why one would embark into a discipline of manipulations. Within this dichotmoy, are of course the magicians or performers and then there’s the rest of us. The audience. We either feign understanding or concoct reasoning to propose how the act is realized or we simply watch in bewilderment. Most, however, are left unsure.
Christopher Nolan, the man behind Memento and Batman Begins offers another thrilling tale of mystery in a dark and unsafe world. Vividly portrayed behind the backdrop of a pre-industrial London, where Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla race to build artificial light. So too does Robert Angier (played by Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) fight in a deadly game of one-up-man-ship to have the best magic tricks and largest crowds. It’s this premise of a world caught between the archways of the developing science of tomorrow and the intrigue of the unexplainable that yesterday feared.
This setting in particular adds to the depth and composition of the film which relies on suspending your disbelief through either stylings, narrative or both. If each trick wasn't explained by a 'behind the scenes' encounter after the show I'd simply call it magic. But, when one trick goes horribly wrong, it sets the stage for a malicious antagonism between two rivals that were merely friendly competitors. Through this rage, each actor intends to learn the others tricks to undermine each and every show of the other. This also extends to physical harming one another.
Make no mistake, the film is a thriller with more twists than a labyrinth, more catches thans a pyramid scheme sold by a former used car salesman. Also of note are the contributions of supporting roles played by Michael Caine and David Bowie that give extra credibility to this tale. Hugh Jackman is astonishingly good and holds his own against counterpart Christian Bale inhibited by an English accent. Additionally, the underrated Scarlett Johansson gives a sufficient performance as well. Be warned however, you have to concentrate closely to get the most from this film but the rewards are an engrossing tale that will have you thinking about it afterwards. Satisfying, enjoyable and dark; this breathes new life into a forgotten genre of perilous machinations, struggle and a forboding sense of losing it all.
Cutter: "Obsession, is a young mans game."
4 starz
Pictures:
impawards.com
pleasetakenote.com
echonews.com
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